Bearded dragon head

Scorpaenopsis barbata

Occurring in

Indian Ocean
Red Sea

3-40m

NightActive

not endangered

He wears particularly shaggy fringes at the bottom of his head, making him look like he has a beard. You can recognize him from other Scorpionfish by his short snout, which is no longer than the diameter of his eyes. Predatory fish The Bearded scorpionfish has venomous spines on its fins, so don't touch it!

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Sandy Seabed

Coral reef

Special features

He wears particularly shaggy fringes at the bottom of his head, making him look like he has a beard.

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Appearance

You can recognize him from other Scorpionfish by his short snout, which is no longer than the diameter of his eyes.

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Natural enemies

Predatory fish

Dangerous/Venomous

The Bearded scorpionfish has venomous spines on its fins, so don't touch it!

Sketch

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1. Beartlike fringes

2. Fins with venomous spikes

3. Snub horns

Pro tips

Scorpionfish are lazy — they lie motionless, well camouflaged, and oftentimes in pairs at the bottom of the sea and wait as lurking hunters for passing prey. He prefers to make himself comfortable on stone, sand, or among corals.

One also found a few cryptic species of this lineage, or lineages, where it is uncertain whether they are descended from the Bearded Scorpionfish or not.

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Text: Carolina Leiter

Pic: Felician Hosp

Illustration: Dive Dict